How to incorporate patient and public perspectives into the design and conduct of research

What is it about?

This paper considers many different ways in which patients and members of the public can contribute to health research, add value and compliment rigorous scientific methods.

Why is it important?

This is a comprehensive overview of how junior researchers can incorporate Public and Patient Involvement into their research studies and highlights opportunities and pitfalls, including how terminology differs across disciplines and internationally.

Perspectives

Professor Pat Hoddinott

University of Stirling

The research conducted by our team has benefited enormously from listening to patients and members of the public, involving them in decisions and working together closely. Crucially, we combine PPI with more formal research methods to minimise bias and collect data from diverse samples through in depth qualitative interviews and surveys. Seeking out disconfirming data or deviant cases and trying to understand them are key philosophical principles relevant for producing high quality science.